There are some beautiful walks around Chatsworth as the river there is so pretty and, attracts many people each year for picnics and walks. We decided to head out from Chatsworth for some panoramic high up views of the valley from Calton Lees car park up into Rowsley.
I’m sure you have visited Chatsworth before. People come from around the world to visit the beautiful house and gardens on the banks of the River Derwent. The house and gardens are open to visitors most of the year and, there are stunning walks around the gardens. For families there is a farmyard and park area too. Even though there is a charge to access the house and gardens (check out their website for more up to date information), you can visit the courtyard with restaurant, cafe and shops for free and there are walks in the park which you can enjoy without going through the gardens. Down by the banks of the river is a beautiful place to picnic in the summer with friends.
The village of Rowsley has many picturesque riverside walks starting from the village. The river here is world renowned for its rainbow trout, brown trout and grayling and, attracts anglers from all over the world. The village has a small shopping centre called Peak Village which is worth a little visit.
The beautiful Peacock Hotel is a grade II listed building dating from 1652 and a visit is recommended.
THE WALK :: THE WALK :: THE WALK
We park in the Chatsworth Estate Calton Lees car park which during the winter is usually free but a fee is payable from the Spring onwards (but you can pay by card!)
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From the car park entrance we head right and walk past the road to the garden centre.
We follow the road all the way up past the houses and keep the stream on your left hand side.
We walk past Lees Wood on your left hand side. Follow the road straight until you eventually come across a couple of Chatsworth estate houses which you can rent for holiday homes.
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Carry on past here and you will come to a gate where you can go pretty much straight ahead onto the track or right.
We are going straight ahead – there is a sign here which gives you a little background.
At the farm gate we head left, and left again, where we start to go up quite a steep hill. We all had a race to get to the top!!
Have a rest here and enjoy a flask of coffee or just the lovely views. Over the stile and we go into the woods.
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Follow the track in the woods for a short distance and then follow the track left. When we were here we came across quite a few cyclists (albeit on their cheating electric bikes!)
Follow through the woods and turn left at the end. Here you will come out onto a small road. We are going to turn left.
Follow the road all the way and it will bend right slightly.
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At the end we turn right here and just follow the road. We end up on Church Lane and walk through the village of Rowsley. After you pass St. Katherine’s Church, head to the corner and turn left onto the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.
Now we walk keeping the river on the right hand side.
We cut across a lovely large field, still with the river on your right.
Eventually you will head into Calton Lees and where you started! Turn right and you will see the garden centre on your right and the car park ahead.
We’d love to see the photo’s of your walk – please send them in to
vicky@imagespublishing.co.uk
INFORMATION :: INFORMATION :: INFORMATION
Parking: At Carlton Lees car park within the Chatsworth Estate near their Garden Centre.
Pubs: There are a couple to choose from on the route, if you take a short detour at Rowsley. Distance: Long 5.6 miles and approximately 2hrs 15min.
Terrain: A fair bit of up hill on the first half of the walk, but a decline and flat finish awaits!
